The Archdiocese of Cincinnati put a retired Catholic priest on administrative leave Wednesday because of child sexual abuse allegations stemming from his time as a pastor in Urbana nearly three decades ago.

69-year old Donald E. Shelander was pastor at St. Mary Parish in Urbana from 1977 to 1983. He also served as pastor at Bellefontaine's St. Patrick Church from 1983 to 1994.

An adult male recently reported to the archdiocese that Shelander engaged in inappropriate sexual behavior with him when the man was age 14 to 18 years old. A private investigator for the church says the accuation had the "semblance of truth", but that does not mean a presumption of guilt.

An archdiocese spokesman says this is the first accusation of its kind against Shelander.  

The accusation was also reported to legal authorities, but Urbana Police say they have not been contacted to investigate the case.

Father Patrick Sheridan from St. Patrick's Church in Bellefontaine is expected to make a statement on the matter sometime soon.